Article 246: Catching up with Feao Vunipola

August 25, 2011

Feao Vunipola will be a key component for Pittsburg High this upcoming season. This 2012 prospect can play both ways for the Pirates at the linebacker and running back positions. Vunipola had 72 rushes for 466 yards and six touchdowns and caught 12 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns while registering 31 tackles on defense.

At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Vunipola can run 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.20 seconds, can bench press 295 pounds, squat 475 pounds, and has a vertical of 32 inches.

The current schools that are in contact with him include Cal, Cal Poly, Colorado, Fresno State, Idaho, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.

Vunipola, whose name means "With God", has had some initial thoughts about these schools and their conferences that he is in contact with.

Big Sky Conference (Cal Poly and Northern Arizona): Vunipola says, "I think the Big Sky conference is an underrated conference. They might not have the biggest name of all the others but I see that they are developing a lot of great athletes for the NFL. They have stepped up their recruiting process and brought a lot of great athletes to that conference. This conference has a lot of speed the last time I checked, especially Eastern Washington."

Mountain West Conference (San Diego State): "The Mountain West Conference is another under rated conference in my opinion. There's lots of big names in the conference that can do some damage against the big named teams, such as Cal, Washington, etc. I believe that's the reason why they brought up Boise State because they have been dominating lately. Don't let the little names fool you. These teams have some great athletes - especially Boise State and San Diego State."

Pac-12 Conference (Cal, Colorado, Oregon State, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State): "The Pac-12 conference is my probably my favorite conference of all. I love that is in the west coast and I can stay close to home. One of the reasons why I love this conference is because I think they're the most competitive conference in all of sports. This conference has the most national titles from all sports from softball, football all the way to tennis. This conference is great in every sport. My goal is to work my way up there to one of these schools."

Western Athletic Conference (Fresno State, Idaho, and San Jose State): "I would love to play for any team in the WAC conference. Every team in this conference has great programs. I have a lot of interest in Fresno especially."

Vunipola was busily attending football camps at Cal, San Diego, and USC during the summer.

When asked about what he worked on the most during the summer for his senior football season, Vunipola says, "During the summer my main goal was just to get faster and bigger. I spent most of my days in the summer either in the weight room or on the field. We did a lot of speed training. Before the summer we tested, I ran a 4.6 in the 40 yard dash. Then we tested again after the summer I ran a 4.48. I also gained 15 pounds. I improved a lot from last year. I'm ready for whatever next year."

Pittsburg quarterback Malik Watson considers Vunipola to be the heart and soul for the football team. Watson says, "The guy is a beast and he reminds me of Rey Mauluga on defense and Stanley Havlili from USC when on offense but he's a RB right now so he is just a total savage coming out of the backfield with that 4.4 speed and weighing that much that is just something I've never seen in high school and I can't wait to see what he does this season because he is a great leader and player and he leads by example on the field. And he lets his play do the talking."

As a linebacker and running back, Vunipola has these thoughts on some of the contemporary players that he follows.

Frank Gore: "Frank Gore is probably one of my favorite running back in the league. He's been outstanding the past 4 years. First running back in 49er history to rush for 1000+ yards for four years consecutively. He is like a little bowling bowl out there on the field. He might be a little undersized but it won't be easy to tackle him. One thiing I like about his the most is his patience, he has great patience when he's behind his linemen."

Adrian Peterson: "Adrian Peterson is maybe one of the best running backs to ever live. He has done a lot of crazy things in the short amount of time he's been in the NFL. Just by the way he runs you can tell he's a great running back. He has the power to run over d-lineman and the speed to outrun cornerbacks. If he continues to do what he's doing he can easily be known as the best running back of all time."

Derrick Brooks: "Derrick Brooks is one of my favorite linebackers. A lot of people doubted him at linebacker due to his size. When he was drafted, they projected him to transition to safety but he refused to change positions. The main thing I loved about him was his heart. He was a little bit undersized but he definitely played as if he was a lot bigger."

If the Pirates start the season clicking, they should be heard deep into the playoffs. A big reason for that outcome will be the play of Vunipola. Watch for Vunipola to run with purpose in the upcoming season in Pittsburg, California.

Article 245: Finding Nemo

August 24, 2011

As in the 2003 Pixar animated film, Finding Nemo, the Pinole Valley Spartans will be looking for 2012 dual sport star Nehemiah Winston to find his stroke on both the basketball hard court and football field. The Spartans had a successful football season last year when they were able to go 11-1-1 before losing in the third round of the postseason. Winston will be only in his second year of football this upcoming season as a tight end and safety.

On the hard court, Pinole Valley went 19-9 last season. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Winston can play the small forward position. During this past summer, he played for the Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue club.

Soldiers Coach Ray Thomas says, "Nehemiah is an athletic 3/4 type player. He has a great midrange jumper. His strength is rebounding and being physical. He is very vocal leader. Nemo (nick name) is a passionate player who is all over the court, doing all the dirty work. Off the court, he is a cool, calm cat that treats everybody like his brother. College wise, I believe Nemo will play D1 football."

Chico State and Sacramento State have shown some interest for Winston on the basketball court. In addition, Winston has a 3.50 GPA and a qualifying SAT score.

Winston is no doubt an athlete as he can run the 40 yard dash in 4.60 seconds, bench press 265 pounds, and squat 300 pounds. These skills allowed him to catch 15 passes that included 8 touchdown receptions last season. Those numbers earned him first team ACCAL.

Pinole Valley football coach Steve Alameda used these short phrases to describe Winston. "Good athlete...only 2nd year of football coming up...plays basketball...3.5 student...elected captain by his peers...good hands...average speed... better deep threat than short stuff...combo of smarts, athleticism, size tough to overlook...Needs to greyshirt and redshirt but will be a good D1 guy."

The Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez tight end and forward combination type of player is getting more football interest. The schools that have shown interest include Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon, San Jose State, Stanford, UC Davis, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.

The 2003 Pixar film was about a juvenile clownfish looking to find his way in the vastness of the great oceanic water. The 2011 Finding Nemo version is about a Pinole Valley high school dual sport teenager trying to find his way in the college recruiting gauntlet. Watch for Nemo to come out victorious in this gauntlet in Pinole Valley this upcoming season.

Article 244: Lawson looks to lay down Law

August 23, 2011

The focus in the upcoming season on the Valley Christian Warriors will be on running back Byron Marshall. But opponents should not overlook Marshall's backfield partner, Jarrod Lawson, also a 2012 prospect who plays both running back and linebacker.

At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Lawson helped Valley Christian to finish last season at 11-2 but was defeated by eventual state champion Palo Alto in the playoffs. Lawson started on varsity as a junior at both the running back and linebacker positions. He had 18 rushing touchdowns while earning first Team All WCAL and 2011 Male Athlete of the Year Award for Valley Christian as only a junior. The latter achievement is rather significant considering Valley Christian had the aforementioned Marshall, 2011 lineman Justin Satele, and 2011 center fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. (committed to Vanderbilt but decided to go to the Chicago Cubs farm system).

Valley Christian employs the wing T formation that relies heavily on the running backs. As a result, agile and skilled running backs are a necessity in this scheme. Lawson's performance on the field is comparable to the running styles of Oklahoma Sooner Adrian Peterson and UCLA Bruin Maurice Jones Drew.

On defense, Lawson is a ferocious tackler and is key in calling out the defensive schemes to his teammates. As a result, he plays like Mississippi Rebel Patrick Willis.

Lawson will be going into his second year as a varsity starter on both sides of the ball. During this summer, he worked on switching the ball from left to right to improve his ball security in addition to drills to improve his agility, strength, and footwork. Lawson also attended camps at Boise State, Oregon, San Jose State, and Stanford.

Colleges that are in contact with Lawson include Boise State, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Fresno State, Idaho, Navy, Northwestern, Sacramento State, San Jose State, UC Davis, Washington, Washington State, and Yale. Lawson says that Cornell and UC Davis were in heavy contact with him during the summer and several of the other programs were interested in seeing him play again in September. His conversations with the various coaches have them wanting him to play running back or cornerback in college but Lawson would prefer to play running back as he believes that he is a playmaker on the offensive side.

Lawson has a preference to stay on the west coast as his family is local but is not against leaving sunny San Jose to another part of the country for a football program that is best suited for him. Lawson sports a 4.00 GPA and has a qualifying SAT score as he considers Math to be his best subject and has the desire to major in something that would allow him to be an FBI agent.

His analytical skills are also applicable to his football program decision making as he says this about his future program, "I want a school that can continue to teach me the game and get me to the next level. I want to be a leader and not a follower on the football team. I believe that football is not only a physical game but a mental game and focus is a big key for me. I'm going to take notes in every session and learn more and more from not only my coaches but teammates as well."

He considers last year to be challenging because he was switching to varsity and had to learn both positions on the fly. Lawson says, "It was extremely challenging but I spent extra time with my coaches and really studied the play sheets. It was mentally draining because I'm a perfectionist and I want to do everything right. I put in the extra effort and had a great season. I ended up getting WCAL 1st team all league. Now I'm back in my comfort zone at running back so I'm excited for people to see what I'm capable of."

His individual goal for the upcoming season is to score 20 touchdowns while averaging 10 tackles a game. His team goal is to go undefeated and win a CCS championship for Valley Christian while being a strong leader for his team. Watch for Lawson to lay down the law in San Jose this upcoming season.

Article 243: Brown looking to go Downtown

August 16, 2011

St. Mary's Stockton had an impressive 11-2 season in the previous year. For the Rams to have a successful upcoming season, they will need a big season from 2012 athlete prospect, Marcus Brown.

At 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, Brown can run 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.35 seconds, and can bench press 230 pounds. Brown chipped in with 36 tackles, 1 interception, and three rushing touchdowns. Brown's efforts helped the Rams go undefeated in the Tri-City League but lost to Grant in the third round of the playoffs.

St. Mary's Coach Tony Franks says, "Marcus' strengths are his versatility, motor, and intensity. He plays very hard on every play on the field. Off the field, he is a real gentleman and is considerate of others and hard working. He would be a top player at the NCAA level. Any coach would be fortunate to have Marcus on their team."

Brown is versatile enough that he can play wide receiver, tight end, and running back on the offensive side while he is a linebacker and defensive end on defensive. Brown would be open to playing tight end or linebacker on the college level. As of now, Brown has been in contact with Colorado, Louisiana Tech, Oregon State, San Jose State, Washington, Washington State, and Weber State.

Brown would like to major in Sports Medicine in college. He wants to attend a college program that would give him the opportunity to start. Brown is open to any college from a geographic perspective.

Brown played many minutes last season but this upcoming season will be his first year starting. During the offseason, he is working on his foot work as Brown has been playing for close to nine years. Brown also plays on the basketball team after the football season.

His teammates call him Downtown Brown while he also has a unique style of running, pigeon-toed. His individual goal for his senior year is to get a scholarship while his team goal is to win state. Watch for Brown to go downtown in Stockton, California during this upcoming season.

Article 242: Terra Nova QB on Forbes list

August 10, 2011

The annual Forbes 500 list details the world's largest companies. High school quarterbacks aim to be on the short list for college recruits. For Terra Nova signal-caller Chris Forbes, he is on the radar of several college programs.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Forbes can run 4.74 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 4.30 seconds, bench press 285 pounds, has a vertical of 32 inches, and a long throw of 70 yards. Terra Nova finished last season at 9-4 and was able to be Central Coast Section champions.

Forbes started on varsity as a sophomore at the linebacker position. As a junior, he transitioned into the quarterback role when he threw for 3,121 yards, rushed for 715 yards, had 27 passing touchdowns with 10 interceptions, and 16 rushing touchdowns while earning first team All Peninsula Athletic League and team MVP, among several other Bay Area media awards.

Because of Forbes' linebacker experience, he is often compared to a tough running quarterback such as Washington Husky Jake Locker. However, Forbes tries to emulate his game after Tennessee Volunteer Peyton Manning.

Terra Nova employs a run and shoot offense that has many similarities to the college level game plans of Hawaii and Southern Methodist. The Tigers like to spread the field that allows Forbes to use his arm strength but also allows him to run the ball often. Forbes likes to lower his shoulder and take it to the defense but is also apt at reading defenses and pass coverage.

During the summer, Forbes works on his throwing mechanics and getting his feet in the correct position so he can be accurate and powerful. This past summer, he has attended several camps including Nevada, San Jose State, Southern Methodist, Tulsa, and USC.

With his height, size, and dual skill set, several colleges have indeed put Forbes on their list. Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, Northwestern, San Jose State, Tulsa, USC, Utah, and Wyoming have watched his practice and have been in contact by telephone.

This 2012 prospect is far from deciding where he wants to play in college. However, he does like Fresno State due to its location and coaching staff. Southern Methodist is also a favorite as June Jones' offense has many similarities to his Terra Nova scheme. Forbes is partial to staying in California but would not be adverse to anywhere in the country.

Forbes maintains a 3.20 GPA and has a qualifying SAT score. He plans to major in Business or Criminal Justice. From a football perspective, he wants to play for a program that is pass oriented and can help develop him for the next level.

Forbes' older brother is Jack Forbes who graduated from Terra Nova in 2007 and is currently at defensive end for Portland State. His brother was involved in a serious stabbing in 2006 that also puts some perspective on life for the younger Forbes. His older brother also played linebacker and quarterback while at Terra Nova.

Last season was Terra Nova's first section victory in 25 years. The school has never won the state title and that would be a senior goal for Forbes. In addition, he wants to be mentioned among the top quarterbacks in the country.

After navigating through the thick fog on the way to Pacifica and surviving the steep drive down Highway 1 past Devil's Slide, one will arrive in the valley where Terra Nova is located. Watch for this Tiger to move up on the Forbes list and on the college level in 2012.

Article 241: The Devin is in the details

August 10, 2011

The age-old question of what makes an ideal quarterback will always include a laundry list of requirements. Size, height, quickness, leadership, intangibles, among other criteria would be included on this list. As a result, one would ask what the "devil is in the details" of a successful football program, but for the Carmel High football team, Devin Pearson is that key factor in the Padres' success.

Carmel Coach Golden Anderson lauds the skills of his signal caller. "Obviously [Devin] is a great athlete who can perform at a high level athletically...but he works extremely hard. He is our hardest worker and every single player and coach in our program would agree. He puts in all the grunt work to prepare for the football season," said Anderson. "I've also coached him in baseball - and when he goes into the cage to hit, it's all business - it isn't just try hard when he hits BP on the field. He will hit the tee, soft toss; do all the drills every time without being told. Devin doesn't need to, and most high school athletes who have success don't, but he outworks people. He is the most competitive high school athlete I have been around. He wants to win at everything he does - he turns conditioning in to a competition - and he isn't just a guy who is mad when he doesn't do well so people say 'oh he must be really competitive'. He is literally trying to find a way to beat his opponent, or challenge himself in everything he does. He has missed 1 day of football practice since I've coached him - three summers and two seasons so far and he's missed one day when he was sick...one day."

At 6-foot-0 and 186 pounds, Pearson can run 4.52 seconds in the 40-yard dash, bench press 285 pounds, and can squat 315 pounds. Carmel finished last season at 11-2 and advanced to the Central Coast Section championship game. Pearson threw for 2,673 yards, ran for 1,093 yards, scored 24 passing and 12 rushing touchdowns that earned him Mission Trail Athletic League Player of the Year.

Pearson compares his game to Texas Longhorn Vince Young because he can throw accurately but also make plays with his feet. Carmel runs the spread that allows Pearson to make proper reads but leaves the option to run. Pearson has been a varsity starter since his sophomore year and his favorite move is the cutback.

During the summer, he works on his speed training and quarterback footwork. He also attended several camps including Elite 11, San Diego State camp, Stanford camp, UC Davis camp, and University of San Diego camp.

"[Devin] is a leader. He makes everyone around him better," said Anderson. "He is an extremely composed athlete. If he threw a touchdown or an interception you wouldn't know the difference in his body language or demeanor. Devin is in the top 10 percent in his senior class, and extremely well respected on campus. High school athletes usually have plenty of classmates who dislike them or may be jealous. I don't see that at our high school with Devin."

Cornell, Harvard, Penn, Sacramento State, San Jose State, Stanford, UC Davis, and San Diego are interested in this two sport star who also plays center field in baseball. Cornell and Stanford are his favorites as of now, because they have great coaches who have made an effort to stay in touch with him. Pearson has a 3.64 GPA, 4.00 weighted GPA, and 1820 SAT score, as he would like to major in kinesiology and minor in business.

Coach Anderson has this college take on Pearson. "I know he can play at that level- what position will that be? What sport? I don't know. People will downgrade what he's done based on being at a smaller school, but if it was so easy to do what he's done, it would be done every year by numerous athletes. He is a winner and he plays mistake free in a high risk offense. Those traits are hard to come by. In 469 attempts in high school, he has completed over 70 percent of his passes and has a 55-10 in td/int ratio. He's also rushed for 19 touchdowns. Devin has said over and over that he doesn't care if he throws five touchdowns or five interceptions as long as the team wins. He is 23-2 overall and 5-1 in the playoffs. Those five playoff wins are the only playoff wins in Carmel High School football history."

Pearson considers his biggest sports related adversity to be the loss in this past season's CCS championship after being up by 28 at halftime. "I have worked as hard as I could this off season in order to not have that feeling again. I have felt what it was like to win the CCS championship in 2009 and feeling the opposite in 2010 was terrible. I plan on this year being different," he said.

Then there is the situation of his mother's cancer. "She was diagnosed with brain cancer 7 years ago. The doctors gave her 1 year to live. Our family came together and she has been cancer free ever since. Almost losing her was terrible but going through that has made me and my family stronger."

This two-sport star will definitely shine brightly in Carmel by the Sea also known for its former movie star mayor, Clint Eastwood. Nevertheless, the success of the Padres will depend on the devil in the details of its football program, specifically Pearson.

Article 240: NCP Top 20 Football Team Preview

Week of August 5, 2011

Below are a few select teams being previewed

No. 20 Pittsburg

COACH: Victor Galli LAST SEASON: 5-6 FINAL 2010 RANKING: NR in NCP Top 20 KEEP AN EYE ON: Consistency. Last year, the team started the season with five straight non-league losses. The Pirates then went undefeated in five straight leagues games. And then they fell flat in their playoff game. Giving a consistent effort from practice to practice, from play to play, and from game to game is a must. The talent is there to make a serious run. STRENGTH: The defense as a unit can really play team defense. On the offense, the run game will set the tone for a prolific passing game for the scoring. If players had to be singled out, then Mister Marshall Cotton (running back and free safety) and Feao Vunipola (running back and linebacker) are dual threats. Cotton, who is a summer transfer, has corner speed and hits like a linebacker will be forcing wide receiver opponents to address him by his first name and honorific title, "Mr." Vunipola can switch it into another gear on the ground game while he was a leading tackler for the defense last season. STAR OF THE SHOW: Quarterback Malik Watson. Run. Throw. Lead. Fill the water bottles. Clean the used jock straps. You name it and Watson will get it done for the team. The quarterback role is often the most scrutinized in football. But in the case of the Pirates, how Watson fares will be a good thermometer of the team's success. DON'T OVERLOOK: September 16 matchup against Monte Vista and September 29 matchup against Granite Bay. Monte Vista quarterback Jeff Lockie and Granite Bay quarterback Brendan Keeney are highly touted. These two non-league games will measure the Pirates consistency in addition to seeing these quarterback battles.

No. 18 Buhach Colony

COACH: Kevin Swartwood LAST SEASON: 12-1 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 9 in NCP Top 20 KEEP AN EYE ON: Offensive skill positions. Coach Swartwood commented on how his offense lost all five skills position players from last year. As a result, this year's team may go as far as the level of skill that the skills position players bring to the field. STRENGTH: Lineman. On the other hand, the offensive and defensive line returns most of the starters. If football is won in the trenches, then this is a good sign for the Thunder. STAR OF THE SHOW: Aziz Shittu and Matt Cochran. The colleges that get either of these linemen can probably pencil them for significant playing time as a freshman. Shittu and Cochran will anchor the defensive and offensive lines respectively in another run at an undefeated regular season. DON'T OVERLOOK: Juniors Joe Marquez and Roger Klauser. Marquez will be key as a wide receiver on offense while as a safety on defense. Klauser plays strong safety and tight end but will need to be a key outlet for quarterback Nick Datray. Cochran's baby brother is offensive tackle Aaron Cochran who is a "petite" 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds.

No. 10 Serra

COACH: Patrick Walsh LAST SEASON:6-4-1 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 14 in NCP Top 20 FINDING A SIGNAL CALLER: Quarterback position is an unknown as the Padres are breaking in a new quarterback this year. Coach Walsh has this assessment of his quarterback situation. "Anytime a team goes into a season with an unproven quarterback, it can create some uneasiness. But I am confident in the group of kids vying for the top spot." Zack Kazakoff and Joseph Erdie are the likely quarterback candidates. STRENGTH: Coach Walsh assesses his team's strengths. "The strength of our team so far, is our team work ethic and camaraderie. The team has really come together well this season. I am excited about watching these kids perform this year. Erich Wilson should be a top runner in our league and Luke Longinotti will be a top lineman candidate." RUNNING AWAY: Wilson had 972 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns last year. This 2012 prospect will be called upon even more as the passing game will be a surprise in terms of its production. Wilson is speed burner but is strong enough to go up the middle. EARLY IMPACT PLAYERS: Running back Eric Redwood and defensive back Justin Reyes. Redwood saw duty as a sophomore last year backing up Wilson. Redwood and Wilson as running backs can be compared to the Justin Forsett and Jahvid Best year's in Berkeley. Reyes is a lean, fast and shut down cover guy in the secondary.

No. 7 Valley Christian-San Jose

COACH: Mike Machado LAST SEASON: 11-2 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 8 in NCP Top 20 NEW WARRIOR: Quarterback Jay MacIntyre. MacIntyre is only a sophomore but has the benefit of getting some personal coaching from his father, who is San Jose State head coach Mike MacIntyre. Breaking in a sophomore quarterback may be asking a lot but the team has a star running back in Byron Marshall that MacIntyre can hand the ball to. WARRIOR BATTLE CRY: Junior middle linebacker Ryan Severson along with senior defensive lineman Theodore King will be key defensive players as Jamaal Rose graduated. Senior Jarrod Lawson doubles as linebacker and Marshall's wing partner. The Warriors will be explosive on offense and they can fly to the ball on defense. TOP WARRIOR: Marshall ran for 1360 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He is a threat every time that he touches the ball. With a new quarterback, the running game will be the focus on the offense. WARRIOR EFFORT NEEDED: October 7 matchup against Bellarmine. This could basically decide the WCAL champion. Last year, Valley Christian's suffocating defense was the difference. Can the Warriors use a run control game and stifling defense to duplicate last year's effort?

No. 3 Bellarmine

COACH: Mike Janda LAST SEASON: 9-3 FINAL 2010 RANKING: No. 12 in NCP Top 20 LISTEN FOR THE FOLLOWING BELLS: The Bells return six All-League performers from last year. Three players who had big seasons last year will emerge as game changers in their senior year. Fullback Justin Taliaferro (first team WCAL), defensive lineman Epie Sona, and tight end Alex Manigo (second team WCAL) will be difference makers. Quarterback Travis McHugh returns for another year where his leadership will be needed. In addition, the depth chart is just that - deep. LOUDEST BELL ON THE FIELD: Joe Gigantino is a 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds linebacker who is a three year letterman, three year starter, first team WCAL for the past two years, and has some west coast colleges interested in him that include Boise State, Cal Poly, San Jose State, and Washington. He is extremely physical and is probably the hardest hitter in the WCAL. This middle linebacker is the anchor of the defense and will ring the bell every game. STRENGTH: Experience, especially the linebacker core. 18 starters return from last year's squad. The linebackers include Gigantino, 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds Brad Kuh, 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds Manigo, incoming junior Kenneth Olugbode (who follows his two brothers), 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds Justin Taliaferro, and 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds Brennan Ronald. This group will fly to the ball, cover leaking running backs or tight ends, and attack the opponent's back field. Penn State is considered Linebacker University but this Bell squad should see many single digit scores from the opponents this season. SOUNDS THE SAME: If Pleasant Grove gets upset by Monterey Trail in the previous week, then the September 2 matchup at De La Salle could be a rare 1 vs. 2 matchup. Bellarmine and De La Salle are basically identical teams in the season opener for both teams. They both have experienced coaching staffs. They both have ball control quarterbacks who make good decisions. Both teams have solid defenses anchored by the linebacker core. De La Salle has had a long run in Northern California, but this Bellarmine team has the defense to keep the game in the teens. A defensive slugfest would be expected at this Concord battle. A Bell win could ring in a run to state.

Article 239: Post-July BB Roundtable

August 3, 2011

After a month of security lines, check-ins and full days in the gym, the July evaluation period is complete. It is now time to unpack the suitcases and delve through the notebooks to see who made the biggest splash heading into the high school basketball season. NCP analysts Douglas Benton and Steve Hu break down the best of the best in scoring, defending and much more.


Whose coming out party?
Steve Hu: For this question, I chose the players who were not ranked in the NCP rankings and probably will have a very good shot at making it in the next release. Michael Bryson 2012, Foothill, Play Hard Play Smart: That PHPS team has a bunch of wing players who look like clones in their skill set. But Bryson made a big leap as he really had a big performance in the Three Stripes tournament that really solidified his summer interest for several college programs. Bryson is a versatile wing that could fit into the schemes of many college programs.

John Fenton, 2013, Central Catholic, Organized Chaos Elite: His club teammate Grant Verhoeven attracts a lot of recruiting interest. Fenton backs up Verhoeven and has the same build and frame as his elder teammate. Good for him as many college recruiters probably will return next summer to track Fenton's progress.


Douglas Benton: A pair of breakout stars to watch possibly make the updated NCP Top 40 this fall are NorCal Pharaohs teammates Bryce Scott and Bryce Pressley. Scott is a combo guard out of Oak Ridge who has range on his shot and a power dribble to handle contact inside. Questions about him surround his athleticism, but he answered some of those this past month. For Pressley, he played a complementary role for Jesuit last year and performed well with more responsibility in July. He has a sound mid-range game and was able to defend a wide range of perimeter players.


In the 2013 class, which is shaping up to make more national headlines this year and into next summer, De La Salle guard Elliot Pitts stood out. Pitts is a skilled offensive player who can handle the ball and play multiple positions at a high level. If he had the sleeper tag on him, it won't be that way for long. Also, Sheldon two-guard Dakarai Allen used the national stage PHPS Elite played on to become one of the fastest risers on the West coast. Also able to be a lockdown defender, Allen showed scoring variety and the athleticism to be a tough cover going forward.


Best ball handlers?
Steve Hu: Dulani Robinson, 2012, McClymonds, Team 94 and Leo Smith, 2013, Oakland Tech, Oakland Rebels 16. Both these players are a bit undersized in height and that may be a part of the reason why they can dribble so well. But their quickness and ability to go in and out of the paint with ease is rather impressive. They will make turnovers but they are not passive when breaking the press or dribbling throughout the court.

Douglas Benton: Robinson is very good with the ball in his hands in breaking pressure with the dribble and also collapsing the defense on his drives. The Mack point guard may have to wait on his recruitment in part due to his size, but being able to create advantageous match-ups is a quality schools will always look for. Jesuit point man Akachi Okugo brings good length to the floor and it allows him to have good side to side ball control. He is at his best in wide open isolation situations.

For 2013, Smith was probably one of the spring breakout stars playing for Oakland Rebels 16. With very quick moves, he was able to control most of his opponents and keep them off balance with his handles. Another prospect who showed well this summer, especially with his ball handling, is Sacred Heart Cathedral's Khalil James. A small point guard, he is able to weave in and out of traffic with a low turnover rate.

Dearth of good shooters
Steve Hu: Cole McConnell, 2012, Sacred Heart, Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue: Knock down shooter if he is set and in form. Good to see that he is working on his dribble drive game. Opponents in the fall will key on his perimeter shooting and force him to score on the drive or to be a passer.

Dylan Alexander, 2013, Weston Ranch, Bay Area Hoosiers 16U: Very crisp form and technique. Also liked his pump fakes and up & under moves. He can shoot from the perimeter but is also very creative in creating shots for himself from anywhere.

Douglas Benton: Jesuit guard Parker Uu has shown the knack for getting on a role and carrying his team's offense with his shooting. He gets squared up quickly on his shot and gets in good rhythm from off the bounce or on the catch. He can also work some offense off of penetration, but his offensive relies on the outside game. Berkeley guard Langston Morris-Walker is another sharpshooter who is one of the few players in this class who can consistently create clean looks for himself. Morris-Walker gets good lift on his shot to rise up over defenders.

St. Ignatius wing Stephen Domingo is clear cut the best shooter in NorCal for the 2013 class and is near the top in the nation in this category. Possessing one of the smoothest shots around, Domingo gets really good arc on the ball and can take over the game with it as seen at the Pangos All-American Camp.

Pass the rock!
Steve Hu: Kendall Jackson, 2012, Bishop O'Dowd, Lakeshow Black 17: Jackson is a sparkplug. On his Lakeshow team, he had several post and wing options and was apt in delivering the ball to them and avoided looking for his own shot for the most part. Even with Brandon Ashley's departure, Jackson will still have several finishers on his O'Dowd team to distribute.

Markel Leonard, 2013, Salesian, Bay Area Hoosiers 16U: Leonard can run a team and be a true point guard. He is a pass first point guard but can also create his shot if the offense breaks down. With Dominic Artis' departure, Leonard will be a key replacement at the point guard position for his Pride.

Douglas Benton: Jackson is a quality distributor for Lakeshow's top team this summer and also for Bishop O'Dowd during the high school year. He sees the play develop early and isn't afraid to take chances on his passes in order to make the big play. Players have to like playing with a point guard like this because he puts the ball in easy positions to score. Vallejo's Tajai Johnson is also a stellar passer as a combo guard running with Oakland Soldiers 17 Blue. While scoring is more of his foray, he is a willing passer and does a nice job of waiting for the defense to rotate before passing it behind them for easy looks.

James makes another appearance on the list as a rising point guard after a good summer with the Roadrunners. When playing in an up-tempo system, he is able to slow down the game and see the open spots on the floor for the potential assists.

Defense wins championships
Steve Hu: Mario Dunn, 2013, Salesian, Norcal Supreme 16: Dunn is very disruptive on the press and in opposing team's backcourts. He has that Allen Iverson feel as a guard when he plays defense. He has a higher gear in terms of his quickness that allows him to knock balls loose or get to balls in the open court.

David Straughter, 2013, Burbank, Play Hard Play Smart 16: He plays on an undersized club. But he is playing the post and has the strength and determination to hold his own. In addition at 6-foot-3, Straughter can guard any of the perimeter players. His versatility on defense during the summer should prove beneficial down the road.

Douglas Benton: Bishop O'Dowd wing Richard Longrus is at the top of this list because of his size and ability to cover multiple positions. At 6-foot-6, he has a good wingspan and the quickness to stay on the perimeter and match up with shooting guards and small forwards. He is also good in the passing lanes to grade out as an elite defender. De La Salle's Amadi Udenyi is another tough defender in being able to play physical at his 5-foot-10 frame. He rarely gets beat off the dribble and contests shots well.

Allen's trademark heading into his junior year is his defense. He is an athletic 6-foot-4 guard who covers plenty of space on the perimeter and tallies numerous deflections throughout the game. Dunn also is a standout defender in the 2013 class in the mold of Udenyi as a guard who plays bigger than his size. He also projects as a high steals player in the coming years.

Attacking the glass
Steve Hu: Drew Dickey, 2012, St Francis, KWA Pride: Dickey probably averaged double digit rebounds per game in Las Vegas. He has gotten a lot more aggressive in going for the ball since his high school season. Fenton is a repeat answer but he just shows determination and hustle on the court. Those are some of the key attributes in being a good rebounder.

Douglas Benton: Two players out of the Elk Grove area lead the way in Franklin-Elk Grove's Theo Johnson and Pleasant Grove's Arik Armstead. Johnson is a good athlete who crashes the boards hard and is a quick leaper. Armstead has excellent size at 6-foot-8 with strength and can carve out space inside. He also plays the ball well off the rim. Mitty forward Aaron Gordon could fit in a number of these categories, but rebounding is one of the best. He plays with great energy, always is around the basket and is a quick first jumper to go up for the ball before his opponent.

Back to the basket
Steve Hu: Tanner Giddings, 2012 Windsor, Oakland Rebels 17U: Giddings does a little of everything that a post player should do. He can rebound, he has some good post moves, and he runs the floor well for a big man. Several colleges were intrigued about using him as a building block in the post for their recruiting process.

Marcus Lee, 2013, Deer Valley, Bay Area Hoosiers 16U: Lee is already ranked fairly high but most college coaches look at him as a small forward or face up forward. Lee has a wiry frame but does not seem to fear contact and is aggressive in his rebounding. As the main post player on his Deer Valley team next season, he will be called upon to be more of an imposing post player.

Douglas Benton: With the transfer of Brandon Ashley and injuries to Jamaree Strickland, the top of the post player list has its questions. Dickey has shown good strides this summer to work well in space and with added bulk, he is able to hold his offensive position on the block. Giddings has also shown improvement with better agility and touch around the basket compared to last summer. Not a true post prospect, but Arcata's Tom Witzel is nimble inside and is comfortable on the low to mid-block.

With Gordon and Lee projecting their skill set as more of a face-up forward, the best true post looks to be Dublin's Eric Nielsen. At 6-foot-8, he has the frame to seal off defenders and finish inside, but needs to continue to add explosion and agility to his game.

Pure scorers
Steve Hu: Paris Davis, 2012, Skyline, Oakland Rebels 17U: Davis can score from anywhere on the court. But with his size and speed, he should just take the ball to the rim every time and initiate contact. He should be going to the line at least half a dozen times per game to be truly effective. James O'Neal, 2013, Freedom, Lakeshow 16 Black: O'Neal's perimeter shooting sets up his inside game. He should be able to average 20 points plus for the rest of his high school career.

Douglas Benton: Two repeat players sit atop this category in Tajai Johnson and Morris-Walker. Johnson is a strong driver who uses a quick first step and his ability to take contact to finish in the lane or get to the foul line. He can also step out on the floor to make defenses come out on him. Morris-Walker has all of the physical tools to be a good offensive two-guard and showed throughout his junior year to be able to control a team's scoring. He has a clean jumper and the strength to drive the lane and be a post-up option.

Salesian's Jabari Bird capped a strong summer with the Oakland Soldiers in continuing to show himself as an elite scorer. He has a very developed mid-range game off the dribble as well as three point range and can finish with authority at the rim. Expect some big scoring numbers in his junior years.

Athleticism versus skill
Steve Hu: Abu Tratter, 2012, St Francis, KWA Pride: Finally healthy, Tratter should see a big year in 2012. He can guard any of the opposing team's guards or forwards. He rebounds well for a wing player. He can take advantage of the smaller guards in a post play or out maneuver the bigger forwards.

Rae Jackson, 2013, Rodriguez, Bay Area Magic: Jackson can really run and jump on the basketball court and would look to be a pretty good wide receiver as well. He seems to be just a level above everyone else in terms of athleticism.

Douglas Benton: There are a number of quality athletes coming out of the region in the 2012 class. Players who stood out with their athleticism in July were Sheldon's Kyiron Thomas and Redwood's Matt Mareno. Thomas' athleticism takes him to the football field this year as a big time leaper who moves very smoothly on the floor. Mareno showed multiple times the explosion to finish in a crowd as well as going up for rebounds against bigger players.

Gordon headlines this list for all in Northern California regardless of class and is one of the top athletes in the nation. Others who have shown well are Bird, Allen, Lee and Jackson.

Surprise clubs
Steve Hu: Bay Area Hoosiers 16U exited earlier than expected in bracket play at the Fab 48. But at their games, several college coaches were in attendance scouting for their 2013 class. So, the team showed the most in terms of attracting college interest for a variety of players.

Bay Area Ballers going the deepest in the Fab 48 17U in either the Invitational or Platinum divisions. Per Ballers Coach Nelson Washington, "His team does not pass the eye test," which he meant as that his players do not look like basketball players. But several teams in the tournament were caught off guard by their perimeter shooting, team passing, and matchup zone defense.

Douglas Benton: The NorCal Pharaohs came back from a shortened 2010 summer to make a deep run at the adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas at the end of the month. Playing with a mix of Northern California prospects and out of the area players, they have put themselves back in the discussion of better clubs in NorCal.